Bear Wise

The Ministry of Natural Resources invited our homeschooling group to participate in a bear awareness program offered to school age children. The kids learned about bear behaviour through an interactive presentation. We heard stories about bears from our area, got to handle tracking collars, different skulls, furs, look at paw prints and teeth. Most importantly we learned about bear safety, how to keep them away from our homes and what to do if we encounter one.

A black bear can smell just over a kilometer away, which often means a barbecue can draw in a hungry bear. They also have incredible memories, if one year they find a bird feeder at some one's property it is highly likely they will try again the next year. This includes hummingbird feeders, providing a nice drink to wash whatever snack down. Black bears eat dead things....so don't play dead. Be clearly human sounding; talk instead of growl if you are scaring it away, you don't want to be confused for another animal (or meal). Make yourself big and back slowly (don't run...they like to play chase) away.
We have bears in our neighbourhood, so its an important reminder as to what we do.